Events

NACF is Accepting Grant Applications for its Fall Grant Cycle!

The Northwest Alliance Community Foundation (NACF), serving Burnett and northern Polk counties, is accepting nonprofit applications for its fall granting cycle.  In keeping with the mission of “nurturing the strength and well-being of our community by offering guidance and providing resources that support positive solutions," the focus will be on health and wellness for seniors (65+).  The online submission process opens September 1 and grant applications are due by October 16.   The maximum grant award is $5,000 and funds will be distributed November 15.

 

The senior population in Polk and Burnett counties is escalating and brings with it a number of challenges to how we can best address the needs of this increasing age group.  Polk County’s senior population currently stands at 23%, while Burnett County is at 32%, and the statistics have already reached the numbers predicted by the state for 2040.  NACF will consider applications for support of current and future projects that meet the broad definition of health and wellness for seniors.

 

The application portal link is http://www.grantinterface.com/Process/Apply?urlkey=scvf. The portal is also located on the NACF website at http://nacommunityfoundation.org.  Applications must be submitted by October 16.

 

Northwest Alliance Community Foundation is an affiliate of the St. Croix Valley Foundation.  We support our local nonprofits in several ways, including grant funding.  Since 2016, NACF has awarded over $122,000 in 72 grants to 48 nonprofits.

 

 

Thanks for helping us celebrate 10 Years at our Gala Fundraiser!

Thanks to everyone who joined us at our 10th Anniversary Celebration.

 

See the grants we've given out to local nonprofits at Grants

Sandhill Cranes and their Habitat

Lauren Finch, Natural Resources Educator, WI DNR

Did you know that sandhill cranes are considered to be dinosaurs of the bird world?  They have not changed in millenia.  That and so much more cool information on cranes and Crex Meadows was shared by Wisconsin DNR Educator, Lauren Finch, during the final 2023 Nurturing Nature talk.

 

 

Join us again in 2024 for a new set of environmental talks. Enjoy your summer!

 

 

Backyard Gardening 

 

A warm, summer evening surrounded by beautiful plants and an interesting talk on plants.  What more could one ask for?  Local residents gathered at Wood River Gardens to hear Dean Faulhaber talk about plants that attract birds and butterflies, mulching tips and so much more.

 

 

Chris Byerly introduces Dean Faulhaber, speaker for talk on Backyard Gardening.[/caption]

 

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Dean Faulhaber presents information on Backyard Gardening.

 

Join us for our next talk on Sandhill Cranes and their Habitat. This will be on Thursday, June 29, from 6-7 at Crex Meadows Wildlife Education & Visitors Center. Lauren Finch, Natural Resources Educator, WI DNR will speak.

First Environmental Talk of 2023 a Success!

Native Americans learned to “follow the water with food.”  This meant to go where wild rice was growing.  On Thursday, June 15, 20+ people gathered at Crex Meadows for the first of 3 talks in NACF’s Nurturing Nature series.  Conrad St. John, St. Croix Tribal Member, and Jeremy Bloomquist, St. Croix Tribal Land & Water Resources Manager gave a fascinating talk on wild rice and its growing conditions.  We all left the 1 hour talk wanting to know even more!

 

Join us for our next talk on Backyard Gardening. This will be on Thursday, June 22, from 6-7 at Wood River Garden Store.  Dean Faulhaber will speak on protection and restoration of our natural environment beginning in our own backyards.

 

NACF in the News

Nurturing Community – Special Olympics

September 20, 2023

As printed in the Inter-County Leader on September 20, 2023.   The mission of Special Olympics Wisconsin is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with cognitive disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing…

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Nurturing Community – Interfaith Caregivers of Burnett County

September 6, 2023

As published in the Intercounty Leader September 6, 2023   Interfaith Caregivers of Burnett County was established as a nonprofit in 1998 to serve the people of Burnett County by providing assistance to those who cannot afford to provide for themselves. Although our focus is on the elderly, disabled, veterans and homebound, we have many…

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Nurturing Community – SOFTEC

August 17, 2023

As published in the Intercounty Leader on August 16, 2023   SOFTEC is an alternative Certified Education opportunity that allows students 18 and older to train, live and earn locally. Our mission is to provide equal access to affordable, effective, accelerated 5-6 week technical and communication skills education and training experiences in a safe environment.…

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Nurturing Community – Friends of Interstate Park and Straight Lake Park

August 2, 2023

As published in the Intercounty Leader on August 2, 2023   Become a friend to your local state parks By Beverly Swenson   Friends of Interstate Park and Straight Lake Park is a nonprofit organization established to support the park’s naturalist program in its efforts to increase public awareness and appreciation of the park’s natural…

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Nurturing Community – Endeavors Adult Development Center

July 20, 2023

As published in the Intercounty Leader on July 20, 2023   Endeavors Day Center, Serving the Community for 58 Years Endeavors Day Center began in 1965 in the basement of the Wanderoos School in Amery. It was started by a group of parents looking for group “arts and crafts” time for their developmentally disabled adult…

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Nurturing Community – Wild Rivers Conservancy

June 28, 2023

As published in the Intercounty Leader on June 28, 2023   Wild Rivers Conservancy is proud to be the official nonprofit partner of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Our mission is to inspire stewardship and ensure the rare ecological integrity of the St. Croix and Namekagon Riverway. This means that we work hard to…

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Nurturing Community – Frederic Arts

June 23, 2023

As published in the Intercounty Leader on June 21, 2023   Frederic Arts, Inc., is a nonprofit formed in 2009 to create artistic opportunities and preserve community culture through educational events and programs. The Frederic Arts Center is on Lake Avenue, across from Coon Lake Park, in what many remember as the American Legion Hall.…

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Nurturing Community – Caring Hearts Thriftshop and the Burnett County Food Pantry

June 16, 2023

As appeared in the Intercounty Leader on June 7, 2023   Located in Webster, across the highway from Wayne’s Foods Plus, Caring Hearts and the Burnett County Food Pantry meet the community’s needs in many ways.  The thriftshop sells a wide selection of household goods at low cost.  Some people simply enjoy looking for bargains;…

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Nurturing Nature Environmental Series

June 4, 2023

Join us for our 2nd annual Nurturing Nature Environmental Series!

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Nurturing Community – Friends of the Larsen Family Library

May 17, 2023

NURTURING COMMUNITY As published in the Intercounty Leader on May 17, 2023 The Friends of the Larsen Family Library was founded in 1989 specifically to address the need for a local community library in Webster. In the past 30 years the library moved three times, locating to its current home on Main Street in September…

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